Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island caught our attention for its location near Port Denarau, the promise of luxury and its reputation as one of Fiji’s most family-friendly resorts. In this Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa review, we talk about what the resort offers, what’s great, what could be better, and whether it’s worth the expense for families.
Location
Sofitel sits at the start of Denarau Island, just 25 minutes from Nadi International Airport and is located right on the beach – ideal when you’re arriving with tired children. The resort is part of the Denarau “hub,” meaning you’re close to:
- Port Denarau restaurants and supermarkets
- Day cruises to the Mamanuca Islands
- The Denarau shuttle circuit
- Pharmacies, ATMs, and other essentials
Getting around is simple. The Bula Bus stops right at the front entrance, taxis are always available, and the resort has ample parking if you’re hiring a car.
Accommodation features
Room types and sizes
Sofitel Fiji offers a variety of rooms and suites that work well for families, including:
- Luxury family rooms with bunk beds
- Interconnecting rooms for larger families
- Suites with extra space
We stayed in a Superior Twin Room with two Queen beds and it was quite nice. The family rooms with bunks were, unfortunately, all booked out at the time of booking. If I were staying here again, I would choose the luxury family rooms or the luxury suite for its bunk beds and a little more privacy for the parents.
Most rooms include spacious bathrooms and a balcony or patio – great for parents wanting a little evening downtime while the kids sleep.
Amenities
Family-friendly features include:
- Mini-fridges and kettles
- Bathrobes
- Free WiFi
- Blackout curtains
- Plenty of power points (helpful for charging everyone’s devices)
- Air-conditioning
On-site activities and entertainment
Children’s activities
The Niu Kids Club is one of Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa’s strong points. It boasts a zip line, splash & play water areas, climbing wall, trampoline, sand pit, cubby house on the beach and three interactive indoor play areas! Kids can expect:
- Age-based activity sessions for kids aged 3 to 12 years
- Arts and crafts
- Cultural experiences
- Outdoor play
- Movie nights
Pricing is FJD$30 per session per child (price does not include meals). However, if you’re staying in a family room, access is complimentary. There are three sessions on offer each day:
- 1st Session – 9 am to 12 pm
- 2nd Session – 1 pm to 4 pm
- 3rd Session – 6 pm – 9 pm
If you were hoping to drop the kids at kids’ club and head on over to the adults-only Waitui Beach Club for a proper break, you’ll need to pay extra, as Waitui is only free for guests staying in the Waitui or Waitui Plus rooms or those on specific inclusive packages. If you don’t want to pay extra for the adults-only section, you’ll have to share the main pool (which is still lovely) with all the other families with kids.
Facilities
Families are spoiled for choice with:
- A huge lagoon-style pool with free loungers
- An arcade zone for the teens
- A dedicated children’s pool and splash area
- Water slides
- Beach access with water activities
- A gym and day spa for the grown-ups
- Daily free activities with the resort staff
Entertainment
There are daily free activities with the resort staff (such as touch football in the late afternoon) and you’ll find the activities on a chalkboard by the main pool.
There are also a number of shows on each week, including a fire dance show on Friday nights, a DJ on the first Saturday of every month, and other great activities during school holidays such as silent discos, scavenger hunts and more.
Dining options
Family-friendly dining
There are several on-site restaurants offering kids’ menus and flexible seating. Buffet breakfast is a highlight with plenty of choices for fussy eaters and hungry teens alike. We found the food to be great but the cost was very much on the high side to eat here. Restaurant options include:
- KOKO Restaurant: Right by the beach with sunset views, KOKO serves authentic Fijian cuisine.
- Solis Restaurant: Also by the beach, Solis offers Mediterranean seafood cuisine.
- Bazaar Kitchen & Bar Restaurant: Massive buffet breakfasts and plenty of international options.
- Madame So: Classic and modern Vietnamese dishes.
- Suka Bar: Great location to take in the sunset while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
- La Parisienne Cafe: A French-style cafe. Head here for expertly brewed coffee.
There is also the Waitui Bar and Grill Restaurant and Republik Bar, but these are adults only, so you’ll need to drop the kids at kids’ club to enjoy these.
Kitchen facilities
Rooms generally don’t offer full kitchens, but mini-fridges and kettles make snacks easy.
Nearby restaurants
For more variety (although you won’t need it cause there is plenty at the resort), Port Denarau is just a five-minute ride away with family favourites including Italian, Indian, seafood grills, and casual cafés.
Staff and service
Staff friendliness and helpfulness
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa shines when it comes to hospitality. The staff are warm, welcoming, and genuinely lovely with children, going out of their way to help.
Special services
- Babysitting can be arranged
- Birthday surprises and special occasions
- Kids’ club late sessions (seasonal)
- Concierge booking for boat trips and village tours
Value for money
Sofitel Fiji sits in the premium range for Denarau and compared to luxury accommodation in other countries, a stay here is not kind on the wallet. However, it’s not unexpected as Fiji is well known for being on the pricey side when it comes to resorts. We were unpleasantly surprised at the cost of meals here.
Overall experience
Positives
- Fantastic kids’ club and family-friendly facilities
- Excellent pool layout with plenty of room and shaded seats
- Great dining options on site
- Friendly service
- Rooms designed with families in mind
- Massive green lawn areas for kids to run around on
Negatives
- Denarau beaches are okay, but not very appealing compared to other beaches in Fiji
- The resort is large, so getting from room to pool/restaurant can take a few minutes
- Would not accept cash at the resort shop or poolside ice-cream shop, yet charged a 3% fee for paying with our credit-card
- The restaurant prices are on the high side
- Accommodation prices are also on the high side
Would we recommend staying here?
I would recommend staying here if you have younger kids (under 12) and are simply seeking a holiday where everything you need is within the resort. However, I personally would not stay here again unless we came across a really great deal.
It’s important to note that we did not have a bad experience here, it simply just didn’t make me feel, “wow”, which I expect for a resort thats priced on the high side. The lack of ”wow” for me was mainly due to the average beach out front and the lack of “Fijian” feel. Also, with children aged 10 and 12 years, they had no interest in visiting the kids’ club as it’s aimed at younger kids and wasn’t of appeal.
This resort is great for:
- Families with young children
- Families who enjoy kids’ club options
- Parents wanting a mix of relaxation and easy activities
- First-timers to Fiji who want a hassle-free base
Ratings
Location:
Rooms:
Cleanliness:
Staff & Service:
Value for Money:
Family Friendly:
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